The Arvest Foundation recently presented board members of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Bryant with a donation of $2,500. The grant will support after-school recreational and educational programs for students in grades K-6th.“We are grateful to the Arvest Foundation for providing their support to the children of Saline County,” said Suzanne Passmore, chief executive officer of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Bryant. “The experiences these young men and women receive often provide long-lasting character traits such as teamwork, integrity, problem-solving and others that can benefit them a lifetime.”

“Every community, regardless of size, faces the challenge of providing children with supplemental educational programs and activities to help them learn and grow outside the classroom,” said Phillip Partain, community bank president of Arvest Bank in Saline County. “The Boys and Girls Clubs of Bryant does an outstanding job in further developing children in this area and we are proud to offer our support as we prepare these students who will be tomorrow’s leaders.”

The Boys and Girls Clubs of Bryant provides after-school, summer and sports programs at two locations in Bryant. The organization serves children in kindergarten through 8th grade, depending on the particular program. To learn more, visit www.bryantbgc.org.

“Kevin has an established track record of capital-raising and assisting clients with strategic initiatives,” said Brian Lee, executive vice president and commercial loan manager. “He is a leader who has continually demonstrated the ability to uncover and serve the needs of his clients during his career. We’re thrilled to add him to the Arvest team of experienced commercial bankers.”Rooney most recently worked as a senior vice president, relationship manager with Bank of America Merrill Lynch, where he helped build and expand the Great Plains region. Rooney also spent time with Aquila, Inc., practicing mergers and acquisitions work. He is a corporate finance professional with extensive commercial and investment banking experience.

Among other civic endeavors, Rooney currently serves on the National WWI Museum and Memorial board of trustees and on the Eisenhower Foundation board of directors.

Rooney earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Notre Dame. He is based at the Arvest branch located at 6300 Nall Ave. in Mission, Kan.

The Arvest Foundation recently presented Royal Players, Inc., the community theatre group in Benton that manages the city’s historic Royal Theatre, with a donation in the amount of $10,000. The grant will support programming, renovations and maintenance of the theatre.“We are extremely thankful to the Arvest Foundation for this generous gift and for their appreciation of the impact performing arts has on communities,” said Daphne Shoppach, board member and artistic director of the Royal Players. “This donation will help enhance our upcoming season as we improve both the physical theatre and our programming plans for the future.”

“Arvest realizes that effective support of the communities in which we work requires diversity among the organizations that benefit from our donations, and the arts are an important aspect of our charitable giving,” said Phillip Partain, community bank president of Arvest Bank in Saline County. “This theatre has been a cherished and important centerpiece in this community for almost a century, and we are honored to offer support to contribute to its longevity.”

The original section of the Royal Theatre was built in 1920. It is located at 111 South Market Street in Benton and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Arvest Bank is pleased to announce that Darla Marler has joined the bank as a treasury management sales advisor serving the Joplin and Springfield markets.After spending six years in healthcare, Marler returns to her banking roots with over 10 years of commercial banking and treasury management experience. In her new role at Arvest Bank, she will be responsible for working with commercial clients through a consultative approach, focusing on how to leverage technology and fraud prevention services to enhance efficiency of their company’s cash flow.

“Darla brings a wealth of commercial banking and treasury management knowledge to Arvest, as well as familiarity with the region she will be supporting,” said Carolyn Kennedy, executive director of the Treasury Management division. “She will be able to support her business clients to find ways to maximize their payables and receivables processes, along with providing solutions for potential barriers that may be limiting their ability to grow. We believe Darla is well-suited to provide a high level of expertise and support to the clients in her region and look forward to what she will be able to achieve in her new role with Arvest.”

Marler received her bachelor’s degree in communication from Missouri State University and is a graduate of the Richardson’s Consultative Sales Training course. Born and raised in Springfield, Marler has three children and was previously involved with the United Way and served as chair on the advisory board of the Lutheran Family and Children Services, and served on the board for the local chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Society.

About Arvest

Arvest Bank, named by Forbes magazine as one of “America’s Best Large Employers” for 2018, operates more than 270 bank branches in Arkansas, Oklahoma, Missouri and Kansas through a group of 14 locally managed banks, each with its own board and management team. These banks serve customers in more than 135 communities, with extended weekday banking hours at many locations. Arvest also provides a wide range of banking services including loans, deposits, treasury management, credit cards, mortgage loans and mortgage servicing. Arvest is an Equal Housing Lender and Member FDIC.About Arvest Wealth Management

Arvest Bank has named Anna Beth Gorman to its board of directors in central Arkansas.Gorman is executive director of the Women’s Foundation of Arkansas (WFA), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization created by women in Arkansas to support the economic and educational advancement of women and girls. Founded in 1998, the WFA works as an equity partner with our state’s women and girls through its statewide STEM education and mentoring initiative for Arkansas girls, its research pertaining to the status of women and girls, and also as a strategic grant maker to organizations focusing on STEM education and economic empowerment.

“Anna Beth is well-known for her commitment to the central Arkansas community through her work with numerous organizations and her experience will be very beneficial to the work of our local board,” said Jim Cargill, president and CEO of Arvest Bank in northeast, central and southwest Arkansas. “We welcome her insight and ideas, especially as we continue to recruit and promote women and minorities in our growing workforce.”

Gorman previously worked for the Girl Scouts Diamonds of Arkansas, Oklahoma and Texas, where she was the chief membership and volunteer program officer. She is a member of the Rotary Club of Little Rock, Junior League of Little Rock, the Arkansas Women’s Hall of Fame and is a board member of the North Little Rock Chamber of Commerce. She is a graduate of the Little Rock Chamber of Commerce Leadership Greater Little Rock Class XXXII and is a current member of Leadership Arkansas Class XIII.

Gorman earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from Hollins University and a master’s in public administration from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock.

Investment products and services are provided by Arvest Investments, Inc., doing business as Arvest Asset Management, member FINRA/SIPC, an SEC registered investment adviser and a subsidiary of Arvest Bank. Trust services are provided by Arvest Bank. Insurance products are made available through Arvest Insurance, Inc., which is registered as an insurance agency. Insurance products are marketed through Arvest Insurance, Inc., but are underwritten by insurance companies.
Securities and Insurance Products: Not Insured by FDIC or any Federal Government Agency, May Lose Value, Not a Deposit of or Guaranteed by a Bank or any Bank Affiliate.